Friday, 17 May 2013

A Powerful Thing

Friday evening, Norfolk Naval Yard
When she walked out of the makeshift lab, she muttered obscenities under her breath - words her momma wouldn't have liked. "Lord! Momma would've washed my mouth but good if she heard me talk." She felt slightly foolish that she had spoken out loud even though no one was around to hear her. There! I've done it. Missed my damn flight back to Memphis and I'm so tired, I'm talkin' to m'self. Need to get to a hotel, need to get to bed. I'm plum wore out.

She had flown into Norfolk early that morning, certain she could do what needed to be done and fly home again that evening. A Navy transport had brought her into Norfolk, but she had to take a commercial flight home. Naturally, the case was more involved than she had been led to expect and she needed to double check the autopsy results, repeating several procedures, running toxic screens, writing and rewriting her report. Her information was vital to the court case the military justice system had instigated against the Marine Major who had taken an unauthorized absence.

Commander Valentina Fletcher, forensic pathologist, wasn't surprised no one was about. The Navy Yard looked deserted and no wonder. The rain was heavier than she'd seen it in a while and the temperature was rapidly dropping. There was a good chance of sleet or snow, and she was relieved to get into her rental car and out of the weather. She groaned when the motor wouldn't turn over - the battery was dead.

"Okay, Valentina Jardine Fletcher, now what?" Grabbing her briefcase with a weary shrug, she reluctantly got out of the car. "Someone in this place has jumper cables," she muttered. "I just have to find him."

A shiver went through her as she walked back to the lab, and it had nothing to do with the cold or the rain. Someone was walking behind her, mimicking her footsteps - or so it seemed.

It's just the late hour she thought. Or maybe the rain or ... She couldn't remember the last time she had been scared, and stopped abruptly and turned around ... and slammed right into a hard chest. She dropped her briefcase and would have fallen if strong arms hadn't grabbed her in time.

"You okay?" a deep baritone rumbled. "Hope I didn't scare you. Just trying to get out of this damn weather."

"Ad-Admiral Willhaven? Sir?"

"Affirmative. And you are ...? Commander Fletcher!" he exclaimed, finally getting a glimpse of her face as she tilted her head up. "What are you doing here so late?"

She started to explain why she was still at the Naval yard at this late hour when he took her elbow. "Let's get somewhere dry; then you can tell me what you're doing here on this godforsaken night."

Pulling her into the sheltered doorway of the closest building, he put his back to the cold rain, shielding her from the weather.